Fractals for physicians

Thamrin, Cindy; Stern, Georgette; Frey, Urs (2010). Fractals for physicians. Paediatric respiratory reviews, 11(2), pp. 123-31. London: Elsevier 10.1016/j.prrv.2010.02.001

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There is increasing interest in the study of fractals in medicine. In this review, we provide an overview of fractals, of techniques available to describe fractals in physiological data, and we propose some reasons why a physician might benefit from an understanding of fractals and fractal analysis, with an emphasis on paediatric respiratory medicine where possible. Among these reasons are the ubiquity of fractal organisation in nature and in the body, and how changes in this organisation over the lifespan provide insight into development and senescence. Fractal properties have also been shown to be altered in disease and even to predict the risk of worsening of disease. Finally, implications of a fractal organisation include robustness to errors during development, ability to adapt to surroundings, and the restoration of such organisation as targets for intervention and treatment.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Endocrinology (DFKE) > Clinic of Paediatric Medicine
UniBE Contributor:	Thamrin, Cindy, Frey, Urs Peter
ISSN:	1526-0542
Publisher:	Elsevier
Language:	English
Submitter:	Anette van Dorland
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2013 14:07
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2022 14:00
Publisher DOI:	10.1016/j.prrv.2010.02.001
PubMed ID:	20416549
Web of Science ID:	000278431800010
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/165 (FactScience: 196596)